Roller cutter



Sept. 22, 1931.

\N. L. CHILDS 1,824,329

- ROLLER CUTTER Filed March 8. 1930 ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM L. CHILDS, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOB TO REED ROLLER BIT COMPANY,

OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OF TEXAS ROLLED. CUTTER Application filed Iarch 8, 1930. Serial No. 434,219.

This invention relates to roller cutters for drill bits. v

The roller bits now commonly used in the drilling of deep wells embody a lurality of rotatable cutters which are usual y cylindrical, conical, or f-rusto-conical, and are provided with external teeth which out most efliciently when clean. No means has heretofore been provided, however, capable of keeptions, because certain formations are encountered particles of which adhere to or are jammed into frictional engagement-with the sides of the cutting teeth, to fill the spaces therebetween. The necessary cutting penetration of the teeth is thereby either prevented entirely or objectionably limited.

This invention has for its object the provision of a new and improved self-cleaning roller cutter.

The invention may be embodied in cutters of various shapes other than those herein shown.

Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are side, end and top plan views, respectively, of a cylindrical cutter; Figs. 4. and 5 are detail fragmentary views illustrating the removal of the particles of formation from between the teeth of said outter; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a bit in which said cutters may be mounted; and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a bit having a con-. ical cutter embodying theinvention.

The preferred embodiment of the cylindrical cutter illustrated by Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, is provided with peripheral, axial, cutting teeth 1' and an intermediate annual groove 2 in which loosely fits the ring 3.

As the cutter rolls on the formation to b cut the lower teeth 1a'penetrate the same and the particles of formation moving into the annular groove 3 come into contact with the lower portion 3a of the ring, and force said ring upwardly so that its upper portion 3b ing the cutter teeth clean in drilling operalodged therein. The removal of the particles of formation from the spaces 4 between the teeth 1 is illustrated quite clearly by Figs. 4 and 5.

Tlte cutters may be mounted in any suitable manner. Fig. 6 illustrates the conventional mounting in a rotary bit head 5haying a cutter recess 5a, bearing extensions 5?) anu a transverse cutter pin 6.

The conical cutter 7 illustrated by Fig. 7

may be mounted ina conventional rotary bit head'8 and provided with a plurality of rings 9 fitting loosely in annular grooves as shown. That a cutter so constructed will operate most efiiciently will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The invention may be embodied in various .forms other than that shown, and within the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. A roller cutter having external peripheral teeth, and a tooth cleaning ring surrounding said cutter adjacent and radially movable with respect to said teeth.

2. A roller cutter having external peripheral teeth, an annular groove adjacent said teeth, and a tooth cleaning ring fitting loosely in said groove.

3. ,A roller cutter having external, axial, peripheral teeth, an annular groove adj acentsaid teeth, and a tooth cleaning ring fitting loosely in said groove.

4. A roller cutter having external, axial, peripheral teeth, an annular groove adjacent said teeth, and a tooth cleaning ring, said ring fitting in said groove so that the outer edge of one side of said ring will project to a point immediately adjacent the outer edge of a tooth on the adjacent side of said roller when the other side of said ring is'in contact 85 with the bottom wall of said groove.

5. A roller cutter having external, axial, peripheral teeth, an annular groove adjacent is made to remove from the spaces 4 between said teeth, and a tooth cleaning 'ring, said 4 the cutters 1 the particles of formation ring fitting in said groove so that a portion of the outer edge of said ring may be moved to a point exterior of the inner parts of said teeth.

' 6. A roller cutter having external, axial, 5 peripheral teeth, an annular groove between said teeth, and a tooth cleamng ring fitting looselg in said groove.

7. roller cutter having external, axial, peripheral teeth, said teeth being longitudi- 10 111111 aligned, an annular groove between said teet and a tooth cleaning ring fitting loosely in said groove. 7

Intestiinony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature. 15 WILLIAM L. CHILDS. 

